Azulene, a 10-π-electron aromatic molecule, is widely used as a test system due to its bright S₂ singlet state, exhibiting anti-Kasha behavior. Despite extensive studies, its gas-phase time dynamics remain controversial. We revisited Azulene in a jet-cooled molecular beam to address these dynamics with a newly developed Ultrafast Resonance-Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization (REMPI) system. In addition, we obtained the first gas-phase REMPI spectrum of the Azulene dimer.

Neuronal calcium sensors (NCS), including neuronal calcium sensor 1 (NCS1) and downstream regulatory element antagonist modulator (DREAM), constitute a family of calcium-binding proteins involved in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. These include neuronal development, exocytosis, learning and memory, pain perception, and the progression of disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, autism, and cancer.

De novo protein design has experienced a renaissance in recent years due to advances in generative diffusion-based approaches to develop high affinity, target-specific binders. However, the ability of these tools to generate “new-to-nature” proteins with unique backbones and amino acid sequences that target lipid/protein assemblies has not yet been explored. Here, we apply an end-to-end design pipeline using RFdiffusionAA, LigandMPNN, Chai-1, and Rosetta to develop lipid antigen/CD1-restricted T cell receptor (TCR) mimics.

Total synthesis remains a relevant cornerstone topic of organic chemistry, serving as a ground for new synthetic strategies and methods to access complex natural products that inspire biological discovery. Beyond the construction of complex molecules, modern total synthesis embodies a philosophy of ideality, popularized by Phil Baran, which is the pursuit of routes that are concise, efficient, and impactful, minimizing unnecessary steps while maximizing construction and creativity.

The critical role that carbohydrates and their conjugates play in biological interactions is of interest in medicinal research, making the chemical synthesis of these molecules essential.¹ The complexity of carbohydrates, due to their configuration, connectivity, and composition, makes the chemical synthesis lengthy and complicated.¹ All these factors make synthesizing the stereoselective oligosaccharide a significant challenge. 

The formation of carbon-carbon bonds is a long-standing challenge in synthetic organic chemistry primarily addressed in recent decades via cross-couplings. Cross-coupling has grown to be a powerful tool in organic synthesis in both research and industrial settings, winning the Nobel Prize in 2010. Traditional cross-couplings are primarily held back by the sensitivity of their reagents, and their limitations in forming saturated carbon-carbon bonds. To address these, researchers often look to the field of radical couplings.

Natural rubber is influenced and limited by the latitude and climate by which it is grown. Therefore, the demand for synthetic rubber has grown exponentially. Due to rising environmental and health concerns related to rubber, biobased and sustainable alternatives are necessary. This presentation explores the current mitigation strategies to combat conventionally used synthetic rubbers.

This project seeks to invent novel chemical pathways from phosphate raw material inputs to value-added phosphorus chemicals of commercial importance. Traditionally, the phosphorus chemicals industry has utilized carbothermal reduction of mined phosphate rock in the production of white phosphorus as the starting point for all reduced phosphorus chemicals. This example of industrial redox malpractice needs to be replaced, and we are calling for the production of white phosphorus to be rendered obsolete.

Over the past century, one of the most enduring challenges in drug discovery has been the large proportion of the human proteome considered “undruggable.” The key reasons are twofold: most protein surfaces are relatively flat, and many proteins are unstructured and highly flexible. As a result, over 85% of human proteins remain inaccessible to traditional small-molecule inhibitors. Furthermore, conventional inhibitors are typically reversible, necessitating sustained high concentrations in the body to maintain therapeutic effects.